Many readers said unfaithfulness can begin with sending e-mails and texts.

We've seen literally thousands of comments and social media posts about the tangled web of former CIA Director David Petraeus' career-ending affair.
Readers are talking about politics, the timing of Petraeus'
announcement and possible long-term impact. But an especially popular
theme that keeps coming up is fidelity and faithfulness, to which some
readers say they can relate all too well.

So we posted a survey on Facebook
asking readers where that line of unfaithfulness begins. Is it
fantasizing, flirting, communicating online, hugging, kissing or having
sex? We received more than 2,000 answers to our unscientific poll, and
as of 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, the majority of respondents said one may
stray without ever making physical contact. About 47% of readers said
unfaithfulness can begin when people are sending e-mails and texts
without their partner's knowledge.

"I think it is the sneaking and lying that make it infidelity as much as the sex," explained commenter Jean Timmels. Another reader, Tess Gipson, said,
"When the relationship has to be kept secret from your partner it is
wrong. Otherwise you could bring the person in and sit them down in the
living room and visit like a friend!"

Drawing the line at sex was the second most popular choice, but it only got 20% overall.

Indeed,
other forms of touch like kissing (13%) and hugging (less than 1%) were
picked even less often. Some drew the line at flirtatious behavior
(11%). We also heard from a few readers about fantasizing, which
garnered the most comments but only 8% of the survey votes. Overall,
readers seemed to place a lot of power in the mental aspect of love.

"It starts when you are thinking about it," said Belinda Lipscomb. "Because where your thoughts go, your actions will soon follow."

I wouldn't say thinking about it is an affair. Cause lord knows I would be a cheating heifer. BUT as soon as you start hiding any relationship, you have crossed the line. Also if you are doing something you know your partner will feel negative about, stop.

whenever you're communicating with the opposite sex you should think "could my mate read this email? or would i hesitate to show it to them?"

good point. I know some people say flirting is a no-no but I don't think so and we always tell each other and laugh about it so it's not like secret flirting.

each relationship is different and everyone has their boundaries. imo, you would know your mate's boundaries the best. and you said it best "it's not a secret." once it becomes a secret....it aint right

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